Superyacht Training and Certification

The training you’ll require, the roles you can access and the potential career paths it opens.

Welcome to SWMA’s section on superyacht training and certification.  Here you’ll find everything you need to know about what is required to work onboard superyachts.

We have given examples of two basic key roles and the ins-and-outs to be aware of to get started.

Superyacht Deckhand

If you want to enter a career in the superyacht industry, a deckhand role is likely to be the place you’ll look to start. But what is a deck hand, and what will you be doing?

In this entry level role you will be largely responsible for the upkeep of the yachts’ exterior. These vessels are people’s pride and joy, and you’ll need to ensure the yachts’ condition reflects this with clean windows, maintained deck and serviceable equipment.

You may not just be working during a charter or boss visit either, work continues during maintenance periods too. This may include hands-on jobs such as varnishing woodwork, refreshing and touching up paintwork and servicing and maintaining equipment and leisure facilities.

In short – prepare to be hands on!

The next question, of course, will be where to get started – what experience do you need?

Everyone has to start somewhere, and this is potentially an entry level role. Unless experience is stated as a requirement, you will ideally need to have some experience, knowledge or passion for the water, be it sports or leisure. Enthusiasm is a must too!

On top of this there are a couple of essentials and a few ‘handy to haves’.

You will need your STCW Basic Safety Training before applying for any Superyacht Deckhand role. This is a comprehensive set of training courses that will ensure you are equipped to handle yourself safely and sensibly at sea, whatever the experience may throw at you.

An ENG1 Medical is essential too – it confirms and affirms your fitness to work on a vessel.

• Additional certificates. If you have little experience for any role, it’s always handy to have a little extra to bring to the opportunity, to help push you above the competition. Perhaps a Powerboat Level 2 course so you can help handle the yacht’s tender boats, Crowd Management to show you can handle larger parties, or Proficiency in Designated Security Duties so you can help ensure everything runs safely and securely when engaged in daily yacht management tasks.

1. Other skills? Our sister school in the Balearics, Palma Sea School runs a range of courses that could benefit your career be it as a new starter or someone looking to progress. Competent Crew, PWC, Powerboat courses and more…
2. A knowledgeable recruitment link can rally help, as they will know what opportunities are available, understand what specific yacht owners or operators want in a candidate and can help ensure your CV (including all those hard earned new skills and certifications!) is honed to perfection. SWMA have partnered with some incredible recruitment agencies to help you secure your perfect opportunity, get in touch and get the ball rolling today!

You could try:

Wilson Halligan

YaCrew 

YotSpot

Superyacht Steward/Stewardess

If you are after a job that is always varied, is hands on and people oriented and that allows you to travel to some incredible places then the role of Steward or Stewardess on a Superyacht may be your perfect opportunity.

Be prepared for a role that expects the very highest of standards and the most flexible of approaches; there is lots of fun and some great experiences to be had in return for your hard work, focus and commitment.

These roles vary dependant on the yacht and the owner or operator, and though many require experience there are also opportunities for the entry-level yachtie too.

So, what might you need to get started?

You will need your STCW Basic Safety Training before applying for any Superyacht Steward or Stewardess role. This is a comprehensive set of training courses that will ensure you are equipped to handle yourself safely and sensibly at sea, whatever the experience may throw at you.

An ENG1 Medical is essential too – it confirms and affirms your fitness to work on a vessel.

• Additional certificates. If you have little experience for any role, it’s always handy to have a little extra to bring to the opportunity, to help push you above the competition. Perhaps a Powerboat Level 2 course so you can help handle the yacht’s tender boats, Crowd Management to show you can handle larger parties, or Proficiency in Designated Security Duties so you can help ensure everything runs safely and securely when engaged in daily yacht management tasks.

1. Other skills? Our sister school in the Balearics, Palma Sea School runs a range of courses that could benefit your career be it as a new starter or someone looking to progress. Competent Crew, PWC, Powerboat courses and more…
2. Have a passion for or a skill in something else? It could be applicable! If you are sporty, a personal trainer, a caterer, beautician, masseuse, yoga practitioner it’s worth mentioning, it may just give you a boost in your start to your new career.
3. A knowledgeable recruitment link can rally help, as they will know what opportunities are available, understand what specific yacht owners or operators want in a candidate and can help ensure your CV (including all those hard earned new skills and certifications!) is honed to perfection. SWMA have partnered with some incredible recruitment agencies to help you secure your perfect opportunity, get in touch and get the ball rolling today!

You could try:

Silverswan

Wilson Halligan

Crew & Concierge

YaCrew

You can take a look at our Superyacht Training page too for extra details, course booking options and our fantastic Superyachts Career video.

Superyacht STCW Training Essentials….

Your STCW95 Basic Safety Training will consist of:

Elementary First Aid
Personal Survival Techniques
Personal Safety and Social Responsibilities
Fire Prevention and Fire Fighting
Proficiency in Security Awareness (as of 1st January 2014)

Although these modules can be done separately it is far more cost effective to be done as a package which will save you over 25%:

STCW-95 Basic Safety Training package

Additional courses that could boost your superyacht skill set:

STCW Proficiency in Designated Security Duties
RYA VHF Radio
RYA Powerboat Level 2

What else will you need?

ENG1 Medical certificate – Find your nearest approved doctor in the UK (fixed fee of £80)

Seamans Discharge book and card – Click here for more information